Course Content
Module 1: Getting Started with Canva Mobile App
Hii ndio mwanzo! In this module, we get to know the Canva app. We'll download it, create your free account, and get comfortable with the basics. Tuko sawa? You'll also learn the difference between the free and Pro versions, so you know exactly which tools you have to create beautiful designs without spending a coin.
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Lesson 1.1: The Why and How
06:27
Lesson 1.2: Your First Steps
00:00
Lesson 1.3: Free vs. Pro
Module 2: The Core Skills of a Canva Creator
Sawa, you’ve got the basics down! This module is where we get our hands dirty. You'll learn the essential skills you need to become a pro at using the free Canva app. We’ll cover everything from using templates (that's the easiest shortcut!) to working with different elements, text, and photos. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to create your own unique designs from scratch.
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Lesson 2.1: The Power of Templates
Lesson 2.2: Working with Elements
Lesson 2.3: Mastering Text and Fonts
Lesson 2.4: Photos and Mockups
Module 3: Creating and Selling Your First Products
Sasa, it's time to build! In this module, you'll apply all the core skills you learned in Module 2 to create actual digital products that you can sell. We'll focus on products that are easy to design and have a high demand in the local market, like invitations, planners, labels, and even coloring books. By the end of this module, you'll have a small portfolio of completed designs that you can start selling to your friends, family, and online.
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Lesson 3.1: Birthday & Wedding Invitations
Lesson 3.2: Printable Calendars & Planners
Lesson 3.3: Product Labels & Bottle Wrappers
Lesson 3.4: Logo & Business Card Design
Module 4: Marketing & Selling Your Designs
You've learned all the skills you need to create beautiful products. Now, it's time to learn how to find customers and make sales. In this module, you'll learn simple, effective ways to market your designs using the tools you already have on your phone. We'll focus on selling to your network first and then finding new customers.
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Lesson 4.1: The Power of Your Phone
Lesson 4.2: Pricing & Professionalism
Using Canva Mobile App To Make Money (with Mwalimu Mkuu)

Now we’ll dive into the final lesson of Module 1: understanding the difference between the free and Pro versions of Canva. This is a very important lesson, as it helps you know what tools you can use without having to spend any money.

Lesson 1.3: Free vs. Pro

When you’re using the Canva app, you will quickly notice that some things have a little crown icon next to them. That crown is very important—it means that the feature is a Pro feature. If you have a free account, you cannot use it.

Knowing this difference is key to saving you time and frustration. You’ll be able to create stunning designs without ever being blocked by a “Pro” element.

What You Get with the Free Version (Tons of Stuff!)

The good news is, the free version of Canva gives you more than enough to start and grow a business. You get access to:

  • Hundreds of Thousands of Templates: There are so many free templates for invitations, posters, social media posts, and more. You’ll never run out of options.

  • Thousands of Free Photos, Videos, and Graphics: You can search for “free photos” or “free graphics” to find elements to add to your designs.

  • Lots of Free Fonts: You can change your text to many different font styles to match your brand.

  • Basic Photo Editing: You can crop, flip, and add filters to your photos.

  • Export Options: You can download your designs as a PDF, JPG, or PNG, which are perfect for printing or sharing online.

 

What You Don’t Get (and How to Avoid It)

The Pro version has extra features that are useful but not necessary for a beginner. The main ones you will see are:

  • The Crown Icon: This is the most important thing to watch out for. If you see this icon on a template, a photo, a graphic, or a font, it means you can’t use it.

  • “Remove Background”: This is a popular Pro feature that lets you remove the background from a photo with just one tap.

  • “Magic Eraser” and other “Magic” tools: These are smart editing tools that use AI (Artificial Intelligence). They’re helpful, but there are other ways to do things in the free version.

Simple Rule: If you see a little crown, ignore it and keep looking. There is always a great free alternative available!

Congratulations, you have completed Module 1! You now know why Canva is the perfect tool for you, you have the app on your phone, you have a free account, and you understand the difference between free and Pro.

Are you ready to move on to Module 2, where we’ll learn the core design skills you need to start creating?

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Learning doesn’t stop at the classroom. It starts wherever curiosity lives.

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